5 Reasons why they’re driving badly

Published 27th January 2012

Whether it’s traffic jams or slow drivers, getting cut up or people who neglect to indicate, everyone has their own little bête noir when it comes to motoring from A to B. It’s the thing that makes them tailgate, gesticulate or just plain irate.

Next time a driver whizzes past you or behaves like you’re not there take a deep breath and think: will getting mad really help? The driver that’s caused you offence is zooming off into the distance, looking for the next driver to infuriate. One day, they’ll get in trouble with the law, but until then your rage will have no effect on their mood – and the only person you’re hurting is yourself. All you can do is make sure you’ve got a comprehensive car insurance policy and try to stay calm; you can’t control the actions of other drivers.

Of course, while it’s all very reasonable and rational to say ‘keep calm’, it can be nigh-on impossible if you feel you and your passengers have actually been endangered – in which case, you should be taking number plate details and contacting the police.

But if it’s an irritation rather than life-threatening, there’s no need to sit and fume. Here’s a handy game that might help you stay focused next time you can feel yourself getting incandescent at the actions of another road user. The whole family can play – it’s called ‘Guess why they’re driving badly.’ Occupying your mind by rationalising the actions of the other person will hopefully keep you in a logical state of mind, which in turn will make your driving safer.

To get you started, here are 3 potential reasons they’re motoring like a maniac.

1.They’ve been playing computer games. Studies have found that men and women who play driving games just before stepping into a real vehicle are more likely to take risks than those who have a break. Does your driver look like a person who enjoys the odd trip into virtual reality? Maybe they just need some time to get their head back in the real world.

2.Their car smells bad. It sounds weird, but smell is such a powerfully primal force on the human brain that bad scents can be more than just distracting: they can be actively aggravating. It’s been found that drivers exposed to pungent pongs make more rash decisions and are more likely to drive aggressively. So: does your offending auto have a stinky look to it?

3.They’re nervous or flustered. We’ve all been there, especially in our early days as drivers. You make one small mistake, or are thrown by an unfamiliar situation, and before you know it you find you’re completely confused and someone’s honking their horn at you. Does the driver look young and nervous? Back off and be understanding – they just need a moment to get themselves together.